There were some good shots, but there was a lot of dross in this challenge. The scores are probably right where they should be. I voted two nines, two eights, a few sevens, a handful of sixes, and maybe more fours than I've given out in a while.

The master has spoken, we suck! ;|

Yes, by any standard 85% of this better than average crop must be scored below an average score. If you can't see that you must have no standards. Only the very best are worth scoring above a five. ;(

Only it's not a better-than-average crop. There are a handful of very good images. If you disagree, well, fine, but then our tastes -- diverge, shall we say. ;-)

Incidentally, if anyone was wondering (or cares), since my honesty has brought out the most sarcastic in people, I'm not playing DPL, and I'm not on a team, nor did I enter this challenge.

But the real question is...did you stay and a Holiday Inn Express last night? ;~)

No, you're not alone. The best ones weren't about balloons, or weirdness with balloons, or traditional photography with a balloon tacked on at the end. The best ones were the ones with balloons as a thoughtful incidental.

No, you're not alone. The best ones weren't about balloons, or weirdness with balloons, or traditional photography with a balloon tacked on at the end. The best ones were the ones with balloons as a thoughtful incidental.

As someone who created a story using a balloon, I would have to disagree. The ones which had the balloons as a "thoughtful incidental" (which is the same as a "Balloon tacked on at the end") will hopefully be among the lower scoring photos...

Just finished voting and I was blown away by several entries. With so many more entries in these challenges, voting is going to be a bit more difficult and time consuming and I believe my comments will be much fewer and far inbetween.

I honestly can't believe that my entry is above 5 compared to all the other great photos! I have never given out so many 8's 9's and 10's.

Votes: 124
Views: 202
Avg Vote: 5.3871
Comments: 3

That's good, because it seems very much to be a rising tide here. Vote a lot of people low, and recipients of your low votes seem more inclined to vote low in return. But vote high, however, and the opposite seems to occur. :-)

I WISH it worked that way. Unfortunately...doesn't matter how many great scores I give out...I still suck! LOL ;))

4.5 something or other....gave up even looking at this challenge. No comments either to explain why I suck so badly :(

4.5 something or other....gave up even looking at this challenge. No comments either to explain why I suck so badly :(

I have finished voting, and will not vote any more. If you wish, you can reveal your entry to me in PM and I will critique it while in voting. Or if this is somehow verboten, please feel free to PM me any time after the challenge, and I will gladly critique your photo in-depth.

I'm really starting to wonder if I have a different style that the people who vote first dislike:

Votes: 194
Views: 374
Avg Vote: 5.4485
Comments: 3

It started at a 4.5 at the beginning of the week. And as people have complained about falling scores, mine has "soared". Now... if only I can figure out how to please the 1st 30 voters, I'd be in good shape.